When I first found out that Kristin was going to be mom, I was beyond thrilled for her and her husband, Jordan! I am always excited when my past clients are starting a new chapter in their lives, but this was extra special for me because of my relationship with Kristin. Kristin and I became friends through our high school job at Nordstrom when we were just 16. We were basically just kids when we met when I think back to it.

I was lucky enough to photograph the wedding of Kristin and Jordan, two high school sweethearts who started dating around the time I met Kristin, on a gorgeous beach in Mexico last January. It is one of the best feelings when I can photograph people I have known for years for major life moments. So when Kristin told me last fall that I needed to clear my calendar for the arrival of their first baby come March, I knew I was going to do everything to make it happen.

Only days after I landed back in Chicago from Thailand, I rushed over to meet Colin. This little one is a dream in so many ways. From his adorable strawberry blonde hair that sticks up in all the right places to his precess sleeping mumbles (I could only wonder what he was dreaming about), I couldn’t get enough. And on top of Colin’s cuteness, Kristin and Jordan’s first “babies”, Lloyd and Stan, their two dogs wanted to be right in the action of our photo shoot the whole time. If Colin even made a peep, they came running to check in on him. It is amazing when dogs are so protective over the little baby in the house – it melts my heart. I could go on and on about this new family because they are so dear to my heart, but rather that listen to me talk about my love for them, let me show you.